Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Green Party for tabling this important amendment. In some sense, it does more than just provide a definition. As the Minister of State will know, far too often if something is not set out somewhere in law, even by way of a definition, it can be extremely difficult to get really worthwhile projects over the line. We all have experience in our own constituencies of people who want to establish community gardens very often on small, derelict, underutilised pieces of land and it can be a real struggle. If there is a good official in a local authority or somebody who is on board, they can provide help to progress it. However, without such a person, it can be very difficult.

When I was on the council, a local authority department sought to shut down a community garden on land that had been derelict for 20 years. The garden was located in an area of extreme disadvantage and people did great voluntary work there teaching young people about biodiversity and growing their own plants, flowers and vegetables.

I emphasise that including the definition in the Bill would give it a grounding in legislation. That would then strengthen the argument of people who want to utilise it. Inserting the definition of "community garden" into the relevant section by means amendment No. 389 will also elected members and members of the public to try to make the case in the context of the relevant plans for community gardens to become a more considered feature. This is a really worthwhile amendment, and I am happy to support it.